Early reader... sort of

Naomi has started to enjoy books alone. She will flip the pages and look at the pictures. I really enjoyed watching her today, as she seemed to really enjoy the book.

She is so fun to watch, as she scampers to the bookcase, grabs a book, goes to the couch and gets all settled in to enjoy herself. What a cute little girl!

Surrounded by awesomeness!

Yes, I can say that I am surrounded by awesomeness.

Harmonie helping with dinner.

Naomi just being so cool.

A painting Marissa started at a Young Women activity,

and finished on her own.

She is truly talented in all things artsy.

Kemiah created this "mitten" all on her own.

(And she made another one and gave them to Kayla Deibel.)

Reading and sharing and loving and sleeping.

We do it all!

Wonderful Christmas Family Time

One of my favorite traditions at this time of year, is to read from the Christmas books that I have collected over the years. It's a small collection but we all really enjoy the stories. We are supposed to read one every night from Dec 1 through Christmas (or the end of December, if I ever get that many books). This year we haven't been very good about remembering, and I need to do better because I love these memories. The kids all gather around Dad while he reads and it is just so fun.

This is the last year to snuggle with a baby while we read stories.

Yes, Ben, I can still see you.

Silly boy.

Sunday family time

Don't hate me but she still gets bottles of milk

usually only 3 - one when she wakes up,

one when she gets up from her nap,

and one before bed at night.

More friendship bracelets being made.

All while Dad reads to them from The Work and the Glory.

We love this series - even if it was written a long time ago.

It still tells a great story and we all enjoy it.

What a full day!

We were in the school room this morning and I noticed something outside the window. Then I realized it was a big ground hog walking down our sidewalk. I watched it all the way down the side of our house, to the backyard and then it headed down the walk toward the backyard. I told all the kids so they were all following it as well, and ended up outside to get a closer look. It stopped to look at us and I snapped a picture. It headed across our yard, to Edgar's yard and then out to the corn field. I hope it doesn't decide our yard would be a good place for a home - I hate our moles so I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like what the ground hog would do to our yard. No thank you!

I love it when the day ends like this.

Kevin starts reading to the little girls,

then others join in.

They still love being read to!

Camdilyn decided to "read" on her own.

Any time I tell her to go read a book she will say,

"Mom, I don't know how to read."

I guess we should work on that!

Reading is good for the brain

This is a house full of readers.

Even if they can't read words yet.

She is not sleeping, just caught her with her eyes shut

while she "talked" to me about the book.

Some people like to color, too.

What a spread of papers.

I wonder if they are all hers.

Special time with sisters

Domonique loves it when she has alone time with Naomi. It doesn't happen very often (there are lots of other people and Naomi isn't always agreeable). So when I heard Domonique reading to Naomi and Naomi actually enjoying it, I knew I needed to capture the moment.

What sweet girls!

Reading with Dad

Every time we sit down to read a book to one of the kids, it becomes a mob. It was wonderful to see Kevin reading to the little girls, as each one joined the story. But then the big girls joined in as well. They all love to listen to stories!

Sunday afternoon

She couldn't stay awake any longer.

She brought her blankets down,

along with Brownie, the horse,

and I told her she could sit in my pink chair.

So that's what she did.

They were enjoying a game of Risk Europe,

It turns out it's better if you have more than two players.

And some of us just like to read.

Love these little book worms

Cute little girls

They were so cute tonight. Xiomara is trying to finish up the summer reading program at the library. She has a few more hours to read before she's done. Everyone else has completed it and so she really wants to earn the T-shirt, too. They had had their shower so I was taking care of the bigger girls. They sat down together and Xiomara started reading to Kemiah. It was so cute to see my 5 1/2 year old reading to my 3 1/2 year old!